Clay Aiken

Donald Trump's starring role on the reality television show "The Apprentice" transformed the mogul's image in the public eye, establishing him as a frank, tell-it-like-it-is businessman capable of making tough decisions.

Each episode's most dramatic moment ended in the corporate boardroom, with Trump decisively eliminating a contestant by delivering his famous catchphrase, "You're fired."

But reality television, of course, doesn't always depict reality.

According to one former competitor on the "Celebrity Apprentice," Trump didn't actually decide when to fire a contestant.

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Donald Trump's starring role on the reality television show "The Apprentice" transformed the mogul's image in the public eye, establishing him as a frank, tell-it-like-it-is businessman capable of making tough decisions.
Each episode's most dramatic...

Two years ago Thursday night, Donald Trump could be seen "firing" Lorenzo Lamas on "Celebrity Apprentice." Midday Friday, he took the oath of office as president of the United States.
This transformation raises several questions: Who knew the people...

Former "Bachelor" star Ben Higgins found love on the ABC reality show - and his next made-for-TV conquest might be even more of a challenge.
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“It's going to be the closest race in ‘Idol’ history,” “American Idol” judge Keith Urban announced after La’Porsha Renae and Trent Harmon gave their final performances on the opening night of the long-running competition’s two-part swan song at the...

Looks as if Clay Aiken is going from aspiring politician to aspiring political adviser, modeling his advice on the concept of tough love.
The "American Idol" runner-up who ran unsuccessfully for a House of Representatives seat in North Carolina in 2014...

Here are all the winners of American Idol in the first 14 seasons and others who didn't win but have become successful entertainers. Rank them starting with who you think is the best ever.Kelly Clarkson (Season 1)Ruben Studdard (Season 2)Clay Aiken...

“American Idol” starts its 15th and final season tonight. And we have to say we’re glad. The show has overstayed its welcome.
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The final season of "American Idol" kicks off Wednesday with a few nostalgic flashbacks, some terrible singing and a celebrity cameo.
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Fox is lowering the curtain on "American Idol," ending a series that dominated television throughout the 2000s and made stars of the likes of Simon Cowell, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.
The network announced Monday that "American Idol" will go off...

Clay Aiken didn't reach Capitol Hill -- or "American Idol" victory -- but he will make it to his own TV series.
Esquire Network, part of NBCUniversal's cable stable, announced Wednesday that it had picked up a four-episode series about Aiken's failed run...

The Democratic candidate who was narrowly trailing Clay Aiken in a North Carolina congressional primary election died Monday, a day before election officials were to determine whether a runoff election was required.
Keith Crisco, who co-founded an...

Philip Seymour Hoffman died Sunday from an apparent drug overdose, but the wait for an official cause of death isn't over: The autopsy conducted on his body didn't tell the tale clearly, and toxicology tests are still pending.
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Former American Idol contestant Clay Aiken is setting his singing career aside to run for Congress.
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From “American Idol” to Congress? Clay Aiken hopes so.
The former “Idol” runner-up has formally announced his run for Congress as a Democrat in his native North Carolina. (And yes, we are just as confused as you are.) Aiken officially launched his...

It’s just like the old saying goes: What’s good for Clay Aiken isn’t always good for Nicki Minaj.
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